Can any walkers/hikers help me pick some boots?

[smudgemylife]

I started walking in lock down, initially in my sketchers trainers then when the weather changed my wellibobs.

It's really done a number on my feet, the bridge is sore and my ankles are beginning to feel tender on the sides too.

It's not too bad, but I'm worried I will cause some damage if I carry on like this.

I usually do about 10km, mostly flat, sometimes road, sometimes grass, sometimes rocky, often a bit of mud and sometimes light incline on rocks.

I am on a budget and really don't want to spend a ridiculous amount. I'm a little embarrassed to go into a store and ask for help when I know I don't have the kind of money to buy the boots they offer.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I walk solo and have no one IRL to get advice from on this.

Aha, walking gear discussions, my favourite hobby!

Worked & walked professionally in mountains for a few years, and still keen as a hobby.

Decathlon is a good bet. Cheap but generally very good outdoor equipment.

Probably avoid:

• Mountain Warehouse, it does not have a good reputation - it's cheap and cheerful and sadly unreliable. I'd only buy something harmless like a fleece from there. The groups I'm on are full of people moaning about MW kit.
• Karrimor, which used to have a decent rep, have been bought by sports direct and have since gone downhill, according to multiple reports on hillwalking groups.
• Peter Storm - leaking first time out on the few times we've bought their boots (children or adult, for our large footed child). Won't bother again.

If you have small feet, check out children's boots as they can be cheaper, and as you're mainly walking on the flat, they'd probably be fine (might want more support and a more rigid structure if in the hills). My kids have been surprisingly happy and dry with some cheap hi-tech fabric boots.

Leather tends to be more waterproof. Fabric boots are lighter, but depend on the quality of their waterproof liner, and these are variable. They also wear out inside after a few years and are no longer waterproof.

Altberg supply military and are excellent old-fashioned leather boots - so some ex-army type places might sell them cheaply. Check the stiffness of the boot though - some more expensive boots are designed for ice and crampon use, and these will be a bit like walking in ski boots (absolutely rigid and horrible).

Bear in mind that the key thing with boots is to find the right fit, so be prepared to try on a lot of pairs/order a lot. Even amongst the most expensive boots, they're built on different lathes, (I think the term is?) so different brands suit different widths, arches etc. Scarpa and La Sportiva have a good high end reputation but shred my feet, whereas Meindl are like slippers, and vice versa for others.

Try Decathlon first.

Also agree with Bridgedale recommendations for socks - I've got them in all different thickness, from summer through to deep winter. I used to wear thin liners underneath but now prefer just to wear the walking socks.

I tried 1000 mile double layer socks for some years but started getting bad blisters. The two layers would sometimes stick together and rub.

I wore out a pair of Salomon's over the first 12 months and they were very good, supportive and comfortable. I replaced them a few weeks ago with a pair from Regatta which I have been really pleased with. They have a sale on at the moment. www.regatta.com/womens/footwear/walking-shoes/

Walking trainers would be ideal - you don’t need boots for what you’re doing. Any decent high street outdoor shop should be able to advise you. If you can hang on for the summer sales you should be able to get a decent pair. Make sure you get walking socks as well. They can make a big difference to your experience. Millets often have good discounts.

I have salomon walking boots but find them a bit heavy for anything other than an all day slog.
I'm a walking sandals person as soon as the weather is anyway near decent, but I'm having a chat with myself about wearing trainers at least because of ticks.

I really disagree with everyone saying trainers are okay. They aren't!

Boots have proper ankle support and arch support, proper grip on the soles for the terrain you are on and a solid sole and should be waterproof. Walking on rocks and up and down hills in all weathers makes boots essential.
I wear a thin pair of socks and a thick pair in my boots. I've never had blisters and my feet are warm.

I would have said Northface Hedgehogs or Fastpack all the way! They are the only boot I ever found truly waterproof.

This thread reminded me to go and look for some new ones as its sale time and my god they have changed from goretex to futurelight and everyone is saying they are not as waterproof anymore!

I despair

Omg if you are a 3 or a 4, you can get the last of the good boots.

www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/women-women-women-highlights-outlet/womens-litewave-fastpack-ii-waterproof-mid-boots-47hf?variationId=U3B

So jealous

The thing is there are a lot of options between everyday trainers and full spec leather mountain boots.

There are lightweight walking boots that are really not much more than a trainer with a slightly extended ankle and stiffer sole. Real leather hiking boots are a great thing and I love mine but you don't really need them for most lowland walking unless doing very long distances.

I have a pair of Chris Brasher boots, they are expensive leather boots and probably more than you want to spend. Whatever you buy get boots with ankle support and not trainers.

Make sure you have really decent socks.

Try 1000 Mile two layer socks, definitely no blisters and I have walked hundreds of miles over all terrains in mine. Absolutely unbeatable.
Boots - I wear Berghaus lightweight boots, blissfully comfortable with ankle protection too. I have worn trainer-type walking shoes, Merrells are good, but prefer the boots.

Try TK Max. If they have your size, and they are a perfectly comfortable fit you could get lucky on a budget. Nike, Karrimoor, HiTec,.. I always try to get a known sports brand as they know what to design.
For wet conditions, boots are quite reassuring and breathable fabrics can work very well, but clean and air them after use. I always Size up as you can then wear thick socks and you must not compress your feet on a long walk. I usually have several (cheap) boots/walking trainers and always will buy comfortable ones if I find them. They will always come into use eventually and a little variety are very useful for differing conditions. I pay about £20 - £50 a pair. Invest in some extra inner soles which can be used in any footwear where you may want to tighten up the fit.
Last week I threw out a pair of disintegrating HiTec trainers, and realised they were about 12 years old, but I had bought them from TK for less than £30 specifically for a walking holiday in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
They needed to be light with good hard tread (for the heat) but with a mesh type of uppers for breathability. They were white (so got discoloured with red dust) but had performed perfectly and went on to give great service.